The European Union cannot defend Europe on its own, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said amid calls for the bloc to develop "strategic autonomy" from major allies such as the US.
The EU does not have an army of its own, but the European Commission is seeking a more self-determining “geopolitical role”, with the power to follow its own foreign and defence industry policies independently of Nato.
French President Emmanuel Macron previously called Nato – a military alliance between 30 European and North American countries – "brain dead" and irrelevant in the post-Cold War world.
During the bloc’s fractured relationship with the US under Donald Trump's administration, Mr Macron also led calls for a European army to protect the continent from adversaries.
But Mr Stoltenberg said Europe's defence depended on close transatlantic bonds and not on a quest for autonomy.
"I support EU efforts on defence, because more defence spending, new military capabilities and addressing the fragmentation of the European defence industry – all of that will be good for European security, for transatlantic security, for all of us," he told AFP.
"So all these efforts – as long as they complement Nato – we welcome them, but the EU cannot defend Europe.
"More than 90 per cent of the people in the European Union, they live in a Nato country, but only 20 per cent of Nato's defence spending comes from Nato EU members.”
Mr Trump repeatedly accused some European countries of not pulling their weight, and Mr Macron in turn accused Nato of failing to adapt to Europe's security priorities.
There were also tensions between European capitals and Nato member Turkey, which is accused of breaking a UN arms embargo on Libya and trespassing in Greek waters in a search for gas reserves.
During this period, Britain, a major Nato member, left the EU, further tipping the balance of spending between EU and non-EU allies in the latter's favour.
This fuelled calls from some in Europe for the continent to chart its own path.
"I am a defender of European sovereignty, of strategic autonomy, not because I'm against Nato or because I doubt our American friends, but because I am lucid on the state of the world," Mr Macron told the Financial Times last month.
"Nobody can tell me that today's Nato is a structure that, in its foundations, is still pertinent. It was founded to face down the Warsaw Pact. There is no more a Warsaw Pact.”
The Warsaw Pact was signed in 1955 to form a Soviet bloc counterpart to Nato, which was created six years earlier.
But Mr Stoltenberg said Nato still faced many other foes.
He cited Russia's encroachment on its neighbours, international terrorism, cyber attacks, the security effects of climate change, and the need to maintain an advantage over the rising power of China.
Former UK military envoy John Lorimer also told The National last month that Iran posed one of the greatest challenges for global security.
He said the country was strengthening its ballistic missile and drone armoury, accelerating its nuclear programme and conducting proxy wars as part of negotiation tactics.
Mr Stoltenberg said not “any country or any continent alone” could manage the present security challenges without help.
"I don't believe in Europe alone. I don't believe in North America alone. I believe in North America and Europe together in strategic solidarity in Nato," he said.
In geographic terms, he pointed out that the European Union's flanks are defended in the north Atlantic from Russian encroachment by non-EU members – the US, Canada and the UK.
In the south-east, non-EU member Turkey – often criticised as a threat to stability by Paris and Athens – borders Syria and Iraq and is "extremely important in the fight against [ISIS], international terrorism".
US President Joe Biden, expected to attend a Nato alliance leaders' summit later this year, is seen as wanting to keep pushing European members to meet their defence spending commitments – as Mr Trump did.
Mr Biden told the Munich Security Conference last month that the US in partnership with countries around the world was the best way to meet shared challenges.
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
Scoreline
Ireland 16 (Tries: Stockdale Cons: Sexton Pens: Sexton 3)
New Zealand 9 (Pens: Barrett 2 Drop Goal: Barrett)
Youth YouTuber Programme
The programme will be presented over two weeks and will cover the following topics:
- Learning, scripting, storytelling and basic shots
- Master on-camera presence and advanced script writing
- Beating the algorithm and reaching your core audience
Malcolm & Marie
Directed by: Sam Levinson
Starring: John David Washington and Zendaya
Three stars
FIGHT CARD
Sara El Bakkali v Anisha Kadka (Lightweight, female)
Mohammed Adil Al Debi v Moaz Abdelgawad (Bantamweight)
Amir Boureslan v Mahmoud Zanouny (Welterweight)
Abrorbek Madaminbekov v Mohammed Al Katheeri (Featherweight)
Ibrahem Bilal v Emad Arafa (Super featherweight)
Ahmed Abdolaziz v Imad Essassi (Middleweight)
Milena Martinou v Ilham Bourakkadi (Bantamweight, female)
Noureddine El Agouti v Mohamed Mardi (Welterweight)
Nabil Ouach v Ymad Atrous (Middleweight)
Nouredin Samir v Zainalabid Dadachev (Lightweight)
Marlon Ribeiro v Mehdi Oubahammou (Welterweight)
Brad Stanton v Mohamed El Boukhari (Super welterweight
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last 16, first leg
Liverpool v Bayern Munich, midnight, Wednesday, BeIN Sports
The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
I Care A Lot
Directed by: J Blakeson
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage
3/5 stars
Result
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Brraq, Ryan Curatolo (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m; Winner: Bright Melody, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Naval Crown, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m; Winner: Volcanic Sky, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Zainhom, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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